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What Can You Do With Your New Knee?
I am looking at replacing both knees in the next year. I am aware that most posters here have had unfortunate experiences, and many are in excruciating pain or have less function than they had prior to the replacement. I am deeply sorry and hope that all find relief.
I am wondering if there are people on this board who have had positive experiences and can describe what they are able to do, such as squat, kneel, do burpees, play court sports, walk up and down steps painlessly, wear normal leather shoes, get in and out of cars without discomfort. Feel free to add daily life functions that I might not have thought of.
In other words, if the surgery goes ok and PT is rigorously followed, what’s the upside? Thanks!
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I had my right knee replaced 13 years ago and it was the best thing I could have done. I often couldn’t remember which knee was done as it healed so well and felt so good, other than looking to see which knee had the scar. I’m a rule follower for recovery and competitive as far as doing my exercises post op and that definitely paid off. I can do pretty much anything that I used to do including squats, golf, stair climbing, moving around pain free but it doesn’t come instantly… probably took a full year to get full range of motion back. Not sure about burpees - not my thing and although I’m active, I’m a walker and not a runner -I’m not an athlete by any means. Just started having problems with my other knee this year and am currently 2 weeks post op knee replacement in that side;) Just be sure you check out your surgeon and feel comfortable with them - listen to referrals from people you know that have been through it.
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1 ReactionI’ve had both knees replaced with good results even though my first one experienced an infection (rare, I think it was 2-3% risk, but it does happen) and had to be removed and replaced. In spite of the infection ordeal my overall results have me back hiking and backpacking.
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1 ReactionI’m 7.5 weeks out from TKR left side. When I started out patient PT at 2 weeks I drove my self, and started playing croquet at about 3 weeks post op. I was released from PT yesterday. I have been chipping and putting and am ready to play nine holes of golf, I’ll stick with a 70% effort swing (which will probably help my game). I expect to get on the tennis court this week with my 12 & 10 year old grandsons(absolute beginners). I am also now riding my bike outside!
There is still some range of motion to gain and there is always some discomfort. Over the early phase of recovery I used no more than 6-8 narcotic tablets. Mostly to get a little better sleep.
So far I am very pleased at just under 2 mos. I am 70.5 years of age.
Wow, you are doing great - but you are about to enter "the danger zone" - where you feel great, but you are not yet completely healed.
So you say "I expect to get on the tennis court this week with my 12 & 10 year old grandsons(absolute beginners)." ...I would be cautious of any lateral movements at this point - Have you run this plan past your surgeon, their PA or your PT? After ACL/MCL replacement lateral movements were a no-go until 5-6 months.
Biking was my best therapy after knee surgery and hip replacements, along with walking and disc golf.